News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1887-09-08
''that penniloss man marry my beautiful

''that penniless man marry my beautiful
Geraldine? Never"
''You forget that he has good pros
pects-that as my partner he is q long
way from penniless.
''She has deceived me-I am no
match for her, said the countess tragi-
cally, as she rang the bell and ordered
| the servant to summon Lady Geraldine.
The young lady appeared promptly.
'HOw do you do, Mr.. COdd:" and she
warmly pressed his hand. "What do
you want me for, mammal"
81 understood from Mr.. Codd that
Rupert Paulet has proposed to you, and
is coming to speak TO me on the subject.
You have had the audacity to accept
him 2"
eyes, mamma, but you only under
stood Il part of the truth. You do not
understand what part Il generous city
man has played. owe debt of graft
tude to Mr.. Codd | can never repay.
By his help am saved from some mer-
cenarv marriage, and am able to marry
the man love. | mean to marry RII-
pert parllet. You know very well that
he ard have loved each other from
childhood, and yet-yet you threw me
at Mr.. Codd's head. did not do him
justice at first. I could not believe in
so much kindness-that he was playing
a part for Ruperts sake to shield me
from persecution. l admire and re-
spect him beyond all words. He has
even deceived you"
These were bitter words, spoken in a
tone of scorn that cut home.
''Leave the room instantly. If you
n. l..
with my consent.
Mr.. Codd seemed to have something
more to say.
'EThere is another matter of more i'm
portance to me personally, Lady Um-
freville," he stammered a little. ''You
have another daughter-she is a charm
ing girl. It is not possible that her
affections are already engaged. Have [
your permission to pay my addresses to
her ?'''
The countess was dumbfounded
''Mr. Codd, [ am amazed. How have
you made her acquaintance? She is
yet in the schoolroom."
Mr.. Codd explained rather lamely.
Lady Umfreville sighed. This was
mitigation of calamity. If Geraldine
insisted on marrying Rupert, who was
so likely to give assistance as Mr.. Codd,
if a brother in-law?
1t came to pass at the end of the sea-
son that Lady Umfreville's two lovely
daughters were given away at the same
altar.
"Optimus is darling" wrote Lady
Margaret Il month later to her sister.
He is just the sort of husband to suit
me. Every one ought to marry a city
man. He thinks everything [ say and
do is right and is, oh! so generous. He
isn't handsome, but then he isn't
bit Jealous, and lets me dance with all
the best looking men, and when [ come
all were, and when | tell him so he looks
rather pleased. I'm glad now [ didn't
come out last season. Tn sure you
can't be as happy as L am. I have asked
the dull old Fraulein to come and spend
a week with us out of gratitude. She
never told mamma how Optimus used to
meet us in the Park. Mamma has
given up the house at Princes gate.
She is coming to us for n month next |
season. She is very fond of Optimus
now. She says he is her favorite SON
in-iaw. | think ne gives her handsome (
cheques
III this was absolutely true, the Civ /
ing Of cheques not the least part of it.
Rupert Paulet goes to the city regu-
larly and prospers exceedingly, yet
to combine large amount of
pleasure with business. Lady Geral-
dine is the happiest of wives, and is
never naughty toward Mr.. Codd nova
days.-L0nd0n Life.